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. 2014 Mar 5:10:27.
doi: 10.1186/1746-4269-10-27.

The cultural significance of wild mushrooms in San Mateo Huexoyucan, Tlaxcala, Mexico

Luis Enrique Alonso-Aguilar, Adriana Montoya  1 , Alejandro Kong, Arturo Estrada-Torres, Roberto Garibay-Orijel
Affiliations

The cultural significance of wild mushrooms in San Mateo Huexoyucan, Tlaxcala, Mexico

Luis Enrique Alonso-Aguilar et al. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. .

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Background: We performed an ethnomycological study in a community in Tlaxcala, Central Mexico to identify the most important species of wild mushrooms growing in an oak forest, their significance criteria, and to validate the Cultural Significance Index (CSI).

Methods: Thirty-three mestizo individuals were randomly selected in San Mateo Huexoyucan and were asked seven questions based on criteria established by the CSI. Among the 49 mushroom species collected in the oak forest and open areas, 20 species were mentioned most often and were analyzed in more detail. Ordination and grouping techniques were used to determine the relationship between the cultural significance of the mushroom species, according to a perceived abundance index, frequency of use index, taste score appreciation index, multifunctional food index, knowledge transmission index, and health index.

Results: The mushrooms with highest CSI values were Agaricus campestris, Ramaria spp., Amanita aff. basii, Russula spp., Ustilago maydis, and Boletus variipes. These species were characterized by their good taste and were considered very nutritional. The species with the lowest cultural significance included Russula mexicana, Lycoperdon perlatum, and Strobylomyces strobilaceus. The ordination and grouping analyses identified four groups of mushrooms by their significance to the people of Huexoyucan. The most important variables that explained the grouping were the taste score appreciation index, health index, the knowledge transmission index, and the frequency of use index.

Conclusions: A. aff. basii and A. campestris were the most significant wild mushrooms to the people of San Mateo. The diversity of the Russula species and the variety of Amanita and Ramaria species used by these people was outstanding. Environments outside the forest also produced useful resources. The CSI used in Oaxaca was useful for determining the cultural significance of mushrooms in SMH, Tlaxcala. This list of mushrooms can be used in conservation proposals for the Quercus forests in the area.

Antecedentes: Con la finalidad de conocer las especies de hongos silvestres con mayor importancia cultural, para determinar los criterios de asignación de importancia, y para validar el índice de Significancia Cultural (ISC), se realizó un estudio en una comunidad de Tlaxcala, México.

Métodos: Se utilizaron siete variables incluidas en el ISC, las cuales se realizaron a 33 personas mestizas seleccionadas al azar en la comunidad de San Mateo Huexoyucan. Se seleccionaron 20 especies de hongos para determinar la importancia cultural. Se utilizaron técnicas de agrupación y de ordenación para conocer la relación entre la significancia cultural de los hongos, con base en el Índice de Abundancia Percibida, el Índice de Frecuencia de Uso, el Índice de Apreciación del Sabor, el Índice de Comida Multifuncional, el Índice de Transmisión del Conocimiento y el Índice de Salud.

Resultados: Los hongos que obtuvieron los valores más altos en el ISC fueron: Agaricus campestris, Ramaria spp., Amanita aff. basii, Russula spp., Ustilago maydis, and Boletus variipes. Son apreciados por su sabor, porque son considerados nutritivos y por ser buenos para la salud. Los análisis realizados mostraron cuatro grupos de especies con base en su importancia para las personas de Huexoyucan. Los criterios con mayor valor que se utilizan para la asignación de importancia son: el sabor, el beneficio en la salud, la transmisión del conocimiento y la frecuencia de uso.

Conclusiones: A. aff. basii and A. campestris fueron las especies de hongos más importantes para la gente de San Mateo; sin embargo, es sobresaliente la diversidad de especies de Russula, Amanita y Ramaria, que son utilizadas por las personas. Se observó la relevancia que tienen los ambientes fuera del bosque como productores de recursos útiles. Además, se confirmó la efectividad del ISC utilizado de manera previa en Oaxaca, para determinar la importancia Cultural en SMH, Tlaxcala. La lista de hongos obtenida puede ser de utilidad para apoyar propuestas de conservación del bosque de encino en el área estudiada.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Map of the studied area of San Mateo Huexoyucan, Tlaxcala, Mexico.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Abundance index categories presented to the community of San Mateo Huexoyucan, Tlaxcala, Mexico. A. Rare. B. Scarce. C. Scanty. D. Abundant. E. Very abundant.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Graphical stimulus used to calculate the taste score appreciation index (TSAI) in San Mateo Huexoyucan, Tlaxcala, Mexico. A. I do not like. B. I like little. C. I like. D. I really like.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mushrooms photographs used as stimuli for determining the cultural significance of each species in San Mateo Huexoyucan, Tlaxcala, Mexico. 1. Agaricus campestris; 2. Amanita aff. basii; 3. Boletus variipes;4. Marasmius oreades;5. Lycoperdon perlatum; and 6. Ramaria persicina.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Similarities between wild edible mushroom species according to their cultural significance in San Mateo Huexoyucan, Tlaxcala, Mexico. The rectangles show major mushroom groups. ACA: Amanita aff. basii; AGC: Agaricus campestris; RSP: Ramaria spp.; RUS: Russula spp.; UMA: Ustilago maydis; TYL: Boletus variipes; MOR: Marasmius oreades; HYL: Hypomyces lactifluorum; CAC: Calvatia cyathiformis; LAI: Lactarius indigo; LSP: Lactarius yazooensis; PLO: Pleurotus opuntiae; CGY: Clitocybe aff. gibba; ARU: Amanita rubescens; RXE: Russula mexicana; LYP: Lycoperdon perlatum; H18: Lyophyllum aff. decastes; H22: Amanita gpo. vaginata; CCI: Cantharellus gpo. cibarius; and H6: Srobilomyces strobilaceus.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Similarities between wild edible mushrooms using the principal component analysis and the cultural significance values obtained in San Mateo Huexoyucan, Tlaxcala, Mexico. The inside rectangles divide major groups of mushrooms; PC: Principal Component; ACA: Amanita aff. basii; AGC: Agaricus campestris; RSP: Ramaria spp.; RUS: Russula spp.; UMA: Ustilago maydis; TYL: Boletus variipes; MOR: Marasmius oreades; HYL: Hypomyces lactifluorum; CAC: Calvatia cyathiformis; LAI: Lactarius indigo; LSP: Lactarius yazooensis; PLO: Pleurotus opuntiae; CGY: Clitocybe aff. gibba; ARU: Amanita rubescens; RXE: Russula mexicana; LYP: Lycoperdon perlatum; H18: Lyophyllum aff. decastes; H22: Amanita gpo. vaginata; CCI: Cantharellus gpo. cibarius; and H6: Srobilomyces strobilaceus.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Principal component analysis results after comparing the sub-indices used to determine the cultural significance of wild mushrooms in San Mateo Huexoyucan, Tlaxcala, Mexico. PC: Principal Component; FUI: Frequency of Use Index; MI: Mention Index; KTI: Knowledge Transmission Index; HI: Health Index; TSAI: Taste Score Appreciation Index; PAI: Perceived Abundance Index; MFFI: Multifunctional Food Index.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Similarities between wild edible mushrooms according to the multidimensional scaling analysis and CS values obtained in San Mateo Huexoyucan, Tlaxcala, Mexico. I = Dimension I, II = Dimension II. The inside rectangles divide major groups of mushrooms. ACA: Amanita aff. basii; AGC: Agaricus campestris; RSP: Ramaria spp.; RUS: Russula spp.; UMA: Ustilago maydis; TYL: Boletus variipes; MOR: Marasmius oreades; HYL: Hypomyces lactifluorum; CAC: Calvatia cyathiformis; LAI: Lactarius indigo; LSP: Lactarius yazooensis; PLO: Pleurotus ountiae; CGY: Clitocybe aff. gibba; ARU: Amanita rubescens; RXE: Russula mexicana; LYP: Lycoperdon perlatum; H18: Lyophyllum aff. decastes; H22: Amanita gpo. vaginata; CCI: Cantharellus gpo. cibarius; and H6: Srobilomyces strobilaceus.
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